Stand for supporting a display in multiple orientations and a display used in combination with said stand

ABSTRACT

An adjustable stand for rotatably and releaseably supporting a flat panel display is disclosed together with a display device usable with the stand. The display includes a boss projecting from a rear surface thereof, which boss is received in an arc-shaped channel in a plate portion of the stand. The stand further includes two hingedly connected legs and selective locking devices for controlling the angle between the legs, thereby allowing the stand hold the display in a variety of orientations with respect to a horizontal support surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a stand for supporting adisplay and a display used in combination with the stand, and morespecifically, to a pen-enabled computer display (“PED”) having a screenand a stand for mounting the PED in a first orientation for using thePED primarily as a display and in a second orientation for using the PEDprimarily as a tablet, in a manner that also allows the PED to beremoved from the stand for lap-top use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat panel displays, which may comprise, for example, liquid crystaldisplays (“LCD's”), are becoming increasingly common and are often usedas monitors for personal computers, replacing the bulky cathode ray tube(“CRT”) monitors that have heretofore been used. When used for thispurpose, the displays are normally rectangular and are mounted on auser's desk in front of a keyboard with the long dimension of therectangular panel oriented horizontally in what is commonly referred toas “landscape” orientation. Flat panel displays are thinner and lighterthan CRT's and thus take up far less space on a desktop or workspace.Their light weight also allows them to be positioned more easily thanCRT's, and supports are known that allow such flat panel displays to betilted or to be rotated between a landscape orientation and a portraitorientation wherein the longer dimension of the screen is vertical. Anexample of a tiltable display is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,368, andan example of a rotatable displays is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,850.

Flat panels displays are also used in PED's where they are integratedwith a digitizing tablet using, for example, electromagnetic resonancetechnology and a pen-like input device. A PED allows a computer user tomove a screen cursor, click on icons, draw in an application, orotherwise interact with a computer operating system or its residentapplications by means of a pen that is moved to the appropriate locationon the screen. The screen cursor follows the location of the pen, andpressing the tip switch of the pen to the display or pressing a switchon the pen causes a desired action to occur. The location of the pen onor above the display screen may be determined by a number of differenttechnologies, such as electromagnetic resonance (as in tablets made byWacom Technology Company), resistive, capacitive or othertouch-sensitive films, and other sensing technologies that are wellknown in the art. PED's may be connected to a separate computer unitthrough a wired or wireless connection, or may be integrated with acomputer as in so-called Tablet PC's or hand-held Palm brand electronicorganizers. When the digitizing tablet in the PED is able to detect theamount of force with which the pen is pressed against the surface of thedisplay (e.g. by means of a tip pressure sensor in the pen, or if thetouch-sensitive film is able to detect the amount of pressure applied toit with the pen tip), varying the pressure applied with the pen canaffect the appearance of the image created on the screen, allowing theuser to work with the PED in much the same way he works with pen andpaper.

One example of a PED is available from Wacom Technology Company underthe brand name “Cintiq 15X.” This device includes a screen mounted in ahousing and a leg projecting from the housing rear that allows thescreen to be inclined at a small angle when the PED is used for drawingor at a larger angle when the device is used primarily as a display.However, the leg is not removable, making the device difficult tosupport on one's lap, and does not permit the screen and housing to berotated.

For greater comfort while drawing, and to facilitate accurate curves andpencil strokes, traditional artists and animators working on paper oftenrotate the paper, adjust its incline on a stand, or hold it on theirlap. Such users may also wish to use a PED in a similar manner or torest the lower edge of the PED in their lap and the back side against adesk or table. Stands are known that allow a flat panel display to berotated or tilted, but these stands usually support displays at somedistance above a surface so that they can be viewed as a monitor andcannot readily be disconnected from a display to allow the display to beused apart from the stand. And, while such supports are generallyadequate for supporting a flat screen in a generally vertical displayorientation or in a relatively horizontal drawing mode, they do notallow a display to be removed for lap use. It would therefore bedesirable to provide a stand for a display that accomplishes theseobjectives and that also allows the display to be rotated betweenlandscape and portrait orientations and to be readily detached so thatthe display device can be used as a tablet on a person's lap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These difficulties are addressed by the present invention whichcomprises a stand for supporting a display or PED at various angles ofinclination with respect to a horizontal support surface, including afirst range of small angles so that the PED can be used primarily as atablet and a second range of larger angles so that the PED can serveprimarily as a display. Moreover, the stand supports the PED so that itcan be rotated 180 degrees or more in either direction from a startingpoint and so that it can be removed quickly and easily when a userwishes to use the PED or other display apart from the stand.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a display with ahousing having a display screen, a boss extending from the side of thehousing opposite the display screen, and a stand having a plate with acurved channel for receiving the boss and rotatably and removablysupporting the display. The boss is provided with a flange on its freeend, which flange is spaced away from the display housing by a distancegreater than the width of the channel so that the flange prevents theboss from being pulled through the channel when the display is mountedin the stand. The plate is supported by two legs, one of which may beformed integrally with the plate, and the legs are hingedly connected bya lockable hinge. Each leg terminates in a pair of feet which supportthe stand and the display on a support surface. Handles or levers extendfrom either side of the stand to actuate the locking mechanisms of thelocking hinge, which mechanisms preferably includes two oppositelymounted spring clutches. One of the levers releases the first springclutch to allow the angle between the legs to be increased while theother releases a second spring clutch to allow the angle between thelegs to be decreased. Balance springs are also provided to support theweight of the display and stand together and to prevent the stand fromfalling into its fully open position each time the first lever isactuated. Using these handles, the angle between the legs can beadjusted from between about 130 and 180 degrees, preferably about 140degrees, which angle allows the display to lie flat or nearly flat on asupport surface to between about 20 and 60 degrees, preferably about 45degrees, in which configuration the stand can be used to support thedevice for use as a display. The boss on the display housing restssecurely in the channel in the stand and the flange prevents the displayfrom being removed from the channel in a direction normal to the screenon the display.

The boss is generally round, but may have one pair of parallel sideedges connected by curved end sections as will be explained in moredetail, and the channel preferably comprises an arc of more than 180degrees with two ends separated by a first distance less than the longdimension of the boss and shorter than the distance between the two flatsides of the boss. This arrangement allows the boss to be placed in thestand in one orientation only; when the boss is rotated from thisposition, the long dimension of the boss cannot be removed through thechannel and the display is locked in the stand. However, the display canbe lifted out of the channel with little effort when it is returned toits initial orientation when one desires to use the display without thestand. Alternately, a plain circular boss could be used, but such a bosswould not lock in the channel as described above. As the boss projectsonly a small distance from the rear of the display housing, it will notinterfere with the use of the display in a user's lap.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the stand includes a bossprojecting therefrom and having an end flange and a T-shaped crosssection. The display includes an opening having a narrow outer portionand an wide inner portion. The flange or cross piece on the boss isreceived in the wide inner portion of the opening behind the narrowportion of the opening to hold the boss in place and permit rotationbetween the display and the support. The display can be held in variousorientations to the stand by either the friction between the displayhousing and the stand (e.g. with a felt pad on the stand), or a frictionfit between the boss and opening.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the stand includes a cradlerotatably affixed thereto into which a display can be placed. Preferablythe cradle also includes at least one projecting peg that fits into acorresponding hole on the back of the display to help keep the displayfrom sliding relative to the cradle even when the cradle is rotated. Afriction fit between the cradle and the stand allows the cradle to beretained in any orientation, although other selective locking mechanismscould also be used.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a display is provided thatincludes a rotating bearing mounted on a rear surface thereof. Therotatable bearing is mountable to fixed supports such as pegs projectingfrom a support stand and held securely thereto by those pegs therebyallowing the display to rotate relative to the bearing and the stand.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide astand for supporting a display in a variety of different orientations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flat panel displaythat can be used alone or mounted in an adjustable stand.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stand for rotatablysupporting a flat panel display in a manner that allows for the quickand easy removal of the display from the stand.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a stand having aflat front surface for supporting a display that can be selectivelylocked to hold the flat front surface at a number of differentinclination angles with respect to an essentially horizontal desktopsurface.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a stand that can bepositioned in a first orientation for allowing a device mounted thereonto be used as a tablet and in a second orientation for allowing a devicemounted thereon to be used as a display, and allowing the device, ineither orientation, to be rotated.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an adjustablestand having a bearing for rotatably supporting a display.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an adjustablestand including a rotatable cradle for releaseably and rotatablysecuring a display to the stand.

In furtherance of these objects, a display stand is provided forrotatably supporting an object having a rear surface and a bossextending from the rear surface which stand comprises a front membercomprising a C-shaped plate member having a convex first end and aconcave second end and a first generally T-shaped support depending fromthe first end and a second member comprising a generally T-shapedsupport connected to the first member by a hinge.

A combination of a display and a stand for the display is also providedwherein the display comprises a housing having a boss projectingtherefrom and the stand comprises first and second hingedly connectedsupports and also has a channel in which the boss is removably androtatably received. The first and second supports are selectivelylockable in at least two positions.

Also provided is a combination of a digitizer having a display screenand a stand for supporting the digitizer on a surface where thedigitizer includes a housing having a boss and the stand comprises firstand second hingedly connected supports and a channel in which the bossis removably and rotatably received. The first and second supports areselectively lockable in a first position for holding the digitizer at afirst angle and a second position for holding the digitizer at a secondangle.

A further aspect of the invention comprises a method of mounting a PEDon a stand comprising the steps of providing a PED including a housinghaving a boss projecting therefrom and a stand comprising first andsecond hingedly connected supports lockable in at least a first positionand a second position, the first support including a channel, and firstand second walls extending from the channel and angled toward oneanother. The boss of the PED is slid into the channel and then the firstand second supports are placed in either the first or second position.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a PED adapted to be supportedby a user's lap or mounted in a stand in a first position for use as awriting tablet or in a second position for use as a display. This PEDincludes a housing, a display screen mounted in the housing and a bossprojecting from a first side of the housing, where the boss has a flangedimensioned to support the weight of the digitizer when the PED ismounted in a stand.

Also provided is a combination of a display and a support stand foradjustably supporting the display, where the display comprises a housinghaving a front and a rear and a screen mounted on the housing front. Aboss projects from the housing rear and including a centerline normal tothe display and a generally circular cross section normal to thecenterline, a first end adjacent the housing and a second end spacedfrom the housing and having a flange. The stand includes a plate memberhaving a thickness, a bearing surface comprising agreater-than-180-degree arc of a circle located in the plate member andhaving first and second ends and first and second walls extending fromthe first and second ends. The bearing surface receives the boss andremovably and rotatably supports the display for rotation between aportrait orientation and a landscape orientation. The stand alsoincludes a first leg comprising the plate member and a second legconnected to the first leg by a selectively lockable hinge including aspring clutch and a balance spring. The first leg lies generally in afirst plane and the second leg lies generally in a second plane and thefirst and second legs are shiftable between a first position wherein thefirst leg and the second leg meet at an obtuse angle and a secondposition wherein the first leg and the second leg meet at an acuteangle. Furthermore, the first and second legs each include a free endspaced from the hinge. The display and stand together have a center ofgravity above and between the free ends when the display is supported onthe stand, and the stand includes at least one lever for shifting thespring clutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Also provided is a combination of a display and a support stand foradjustably supporting the display where the display comprises a housinghaving a front and a rear and a screen mounted on the housing front. Oneof the housing and the stand includes a bearing member and the otherincludes a receiver, the receiver removably and rotatably receiving thebearing member and supporting the housing.

A further aspect of the invention comprises a stand for rotatably andreleaseably supporting a display comprising a base and a supportmechanism for rotatably supporting and releaseably securing a display onthe base.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a combination of a display anda stand for adjustably holding the display where the display has ahousing with a front and a rear and a screen mounted on the housingfront. A rotatable bearing member is mounted on either the display orthe stand and a support is mounted on the other one of the display andthe stand for removably supporting the bearing member and the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be betterunderstood after a reading and understanding of the detailed descriptionof the invention that follows together with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a support stand according to thepresent invention including a front leg and a rear leg connected by ahinge.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the support stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the front leg of the support standof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the rear leg of the support standof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a hinge mechanism for use with the standof FIG. 1 which hinge includes two spring clutches and two balancesprings.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the hingemechanism of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side elevational view of the stand of FIG. 1positioned for supporting a display in a first orientation.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevational view of the stand of FIG. 1positioned for supporting a display in a second orientation.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a display usable with the standof FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded view of the rear of the display of FIG.11 and a boss for connecting the display to the stand.

FIG. 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the display of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the display of FIG. 11 and thestand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a sectional side elevational view of the display of FIG. 11mounted in the stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a display and support stand according toa second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of the displayand stand of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a section side elevational view of the display and stand ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a display and support stand according toa third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of the displayand stand of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a section side elevational view of the display and stand ofFIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a display and support stand according toa fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the display of FIG. 22 showing asupport bearing on the housing.

FIG. 24 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of the displayand stand of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a section side elevational view of the display and stand ofFIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forthe purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a stand 10 including afront leg 12 and a rear leg 14, front leg 12 comprising an outer side16, an inner side 18, and a sidewall 20 that defines the periphery ofinner side 18. As used herein, the inner side of a leg is the part thatfaces toward the other leg when the device is assembled. The front andrear legs are preferably formed from aluminum or another light-weightmetal, but other materials, such as various thermoplastics could also beused. Front side 12 includes a C-shaped upper plate portion 22 having acurved outer peripheral portion 24, linear peripheral portions 26extending inwardly from the outer peripheral portion, and a channel 28connecting the linear peripheral portions 26, and an integrally formed,generally T-shaped foot portion 30 having a stem 32 connected to theouter peripheral portion 24 and a curved base 34 with terminal footportions 36 covered with a non-slip material 38 such as rubber. Arotation limiting stop 39 is located at the midpoint of channel 28. Theportion of sidewall 20 adjacent channel 28 forms a bearing surface 40.Linear peripheral portions 26 angle inwardly toward channel 28 and alsoin the direction of base 30. Outer side 16 is also provided with anarc-shaped length of felt 44 spaced inwardly from and generallycorresponding to the curvature of curved peripheral portion 24 whichfelt provides a smooth surface for a display mounted on the stand torotate against. Of course, the felt does not have to be arranged in anarc, and other arrangements would also provide for smooth movement ofthe PED over the front side of the stand.

As shown in FIG. 3, inner side 18 includes a plurality of bosses eachincluding an opening for receiving bolts, screws or other fasteners thatwill be described in detail hereinafter. These bosses include, movinginwardly from the peripheral edge of the inner side, first and secondbearing support bosses 46, first and second clutch spring attachmentbosses 48 located inwardly from the bearing support bosses and atdifferent distances from foot 30, and first and second pairs of leversupport bosses 50. First and second planar projections 52 having arcuateouter faces are mounted adjacent clutch spring support bosses 48, a pairof opening limiting stops 56 is disposed generally between the planarprojections 52 and a closing limiting stop 58 is also present whichprojects outwardly a greater distance than the previously listedprojections and terminates in a surface 60 angled at about 20 degreeswith respect to inner side 18. In addition, two balance springattachment openings 61 are integrated in the curved middle wall thatcompletes the arc of 24 from the right and left.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, rear leg 14 is generally T-shaped andincludes a body portion 62 and a curved base 64 terminating in a pair offoot portions 66, which body, base and foot portions are generallysimilar to T-shaped foot 30 of front leg 12. Low friction foot coverings68 are attached to each foot, which coverings are preferably made fromfelt. Rear leg 14 includes an outer side 70, an inner side 72 and asidewall 74 extending from the periphery of inner side 72. The topportion 76 of outer side 70 is curved or rounded over, and the sidewallsnear top portion 76 includes a pair of C-shaped notches 78. A plate 80extends from inner side 72 between the sidewalls and includes a C-shapednotch 82 aligned with C-shaped notches 78 and a projection 84 forcooperating with closing limiting stop 58 on front Leg 12 when the standis assembled. To portion 76 further includes first and second notches 85for cooperating with opening limiting stops 56 on front leg 12 whenstand is assembled, while balance spring attachment openings 86 areprovided adjacent C-shaped notches 78 and hinge attachment openings 88beneath top portion 76. A peg-like protrusion 89 on the C-shaped notch82 is helpful for the assembly and pre-preloading of the balancesprings.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a hinge mechanism 90 comprising a cylindrical rod 92having a central portion 94 with a plurality of bores 96 extendingacross the diameter of the rod and end portions 98 separated fromcentral portion 94 by shallow grooves 99. Two balance springs 100 aremounted on the central portion of the rod, each of the springs includinga rear leg end 102 and a front leg end 104 and, furthermore, first andsecond lock springs 106 are mounted on the end portions 98. The innerdiameter of the coiled lock springs is about equal to the outer diameterof the end portions 98 which allows for an interference fit between thelock springs and the rods. Each lock spring 106 includes a hooked fixedend 108 and a free end 110 angled at 90 degrees to the surface of thecoil spring. The lock springs 106 are mounted on the sleeve with theirfree ends 110 closer to the ends of the rod 92 than the fixed hookedends. A lock spring sleeve 112 including a projecting flange 114 havingeighteen edge notches 116 spaced about the periphery thereof at 20degree intervals is also provided. The outer surface of the lock springsleeve is provided with four projections 118, three of which are spacedat 95 degree intervals from the respective previous one. The lock springsleeve fits over the lock spring with a slight interference fit.

The assembly of stand 10 will now be described with particular referenceto FIG. 7. Balance springs 100 are placed over central portion 94 of rod92 so that they are located between bores 96, and lock springs 106 arethereafter slid over end portions 98 of the rod. The lock springs arehelical torsion springs, and the diameter of the spring coil can beincreased by pulling the ends of the spring apart in an uncoilingdirection and decreased by pressing the ends together in a coilingdirection. To fit the lock springs on the rod, the ends are pulled apartso the spring will be large enough to fit over the rod, the spring isslid over the end of the rod and the ends are then released to provide afriction fit between the spring and rod. Lock spring sleeves 112 areslid over the lock springs so that free end 110 of the spring isreceived in one of the eighteen notches in the sleeve flange 114.Projections 118 will be acted upon by a pawl to be describedhereinafter.

The combination of and the angular relationship between the notches andthe projections allow the angular relationship between the pawl and thefree end 110 of the spring to be set in increments of 5 degrees. Thus,for example, if a first one of the projections is aligned with one ofthe edge notches, the end of the lock spring can be placed in that notchand be offset from the projection by 0 degrees, or into adjacent notchesand be offset by 20 degrees, 40 degrees, etc. An adjacent one of theprojections will be offset from an adjacent notch by 5 degrees, andtherefore, the offset between the projection and the free end of thespring placed into that notch will be 5 degrees, or if placed intoadjacent notches, be offset by 25 degrees, 45 degrees, etc, depending onwhich of the notches is used. The placement of the lock spring sleevewill depend on the exact relative position of the legs of the lockspring used, and, because the sleeve slides on and off the lock spring,it can easily be adjusted later in the assembly process to ensure aproper relation between the actuating levers and the spring.

Next, hinge 90 is place onto support surfaces of 52 and the front legs104 of the balance springs 100 are threaded into the balance springsupport openings 61 in the back of front leg 12. The rounded legs 108 ofthe locking springs 106 are attached to bosses 48 with appropriatescrews. At this point, the relationship between the short leg 110 of thelocking springs 106 and the rear surface 18 can be determined, and basedon the required relationship between the rear surface 18 and theprojections 118, the lock sleeve can be adjusted as necessary to leavethe projections in the proper position relative to the rear surface 18and the pawl 138 that will be acting on them.

Next, first and second handles 132, having planar end portions 134,bearing tabs 135, C-shaped channels each including a pawl 138 and planarconnecting portions 140 are attached to lever support bosses 50 withsuitable fasteners 142. Resilient grommets 143 are provided betweenfasteners 142 and connecting portions 140 to facilitate a bearing thatallows the handle 132 to move forward and backward, and to help returnthe handles to their rest positions after they are operated and thenreleased. During the attachment process, care must be taken to aligneach one of the pawls 138 with one of the projections 118 on one of thelock sleeves 112, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the movement of one of thelevers will rotate sleeve 112 by a few degrees in an uncoiling directionto slightly uncoil the lock spring. One of pawls 138 is mounted so thatit will overlie a first side of the first lock spring sleeve 112, thetop side, for example, while the other is arranged so that it willengage against the opposite side of the other lock spring sleeve, thebottom for example. In this manner, a pull on one of the levers willrotate the first lock spring sleeve in a first direction while a pull onthe other lever in the same direction will rotate the other lock springsleeve in the opposite direction. Because the springs are mounted withtheir free ends facing outwardly along the rod, the uncoiling directionsof the springs are opposite.

Slide bearings 124 including bearing slots 126 are mounted onto supportbearings 122, which are then connected to inner side 18 via the bosses46. When properly aligned, the slide bearings secure the hinge 92 in itsproper location, and bearing tabs 135 will fit within bearing slots 126so that handles 132 move linearly toward and away from the front leg ofthe stand when they are pulled.

To attach the leg 14, the rear legs 102 of the balance springs 100 arethreaded into the balance spring openings 86, the C-shaped surfaces 78and 82 are rested against hinge 92 such that the protrusion 89 alignswith the middle hole in 92, and then the leg is turned to the “open”position of the stand (against the action of the balance springs, seeFIG. 10). In this position, appropriate fasteners 120 can be insertedthrough the bores in hinge 92 and fastened into the bosses 88 of leg 14.

One end of each lock spring 106 is attached to the front leg 12 of thestand and, because rod 92 is attached to rear leg 14, moving the rearleg rotates the rod within the lock springs 106. However, due to theclose fit between rod 92 and lock spring 106, rotating the rod will tendto either coil or uncoil the springs on the rod, depending on theorientation of the springs. Because the springs are oppositely mounted,rotating the rod will tend to coil one of the springs and uncoil theother. When the rod rotates even slightly in the coiling direction, oneof the springs coils more tightly around the rod and prevents furthermovement of the rod within the spring. When the rod moves in the otherdirection, the spring is slightly uncoiled by the rotating rod and doesnot interfere with rod movement. Because the two lock springs areoppositely mounted, substantially all movement of the rod within thesprings, and therefore substantially all movement between the front legand the rear leg, is prevented. However, the handles or levers 132 areprovided to selectively rotate the spring sleeves in the uncoilingdirection of each spring. Therefore, to move the stand legs apart, onelever is pressed to uncoil the lock spring that resists movement in theopening direction. While held in this released position, the stand legscan be moved apart, but not moved toward one another. The presence ofthe balancing springs provide some resistance to such opening movementand prevent the legs from falling immediately to the fully open positionunder the weight of the stand and any display supported thereon. Whenthe rear leg reaches its desired position, the lever is released to lockthe legs in position. The other lever is used to release the second lockspring when a user desires to decrease the spacing between the legs.

FIG. 9 shows stand 10 with legs 12 and 14 angled at an acute angle ofabout 45 degrees. As will be appreciated from this figure, in thisposition, closing limiting stop 58 on the inner surface of front leg 12engages against projection 84 on the inner face of rear leg 14 toprevent the angle between the legs from becoming any smaller. Of course,if desired, the lengths of closing limiting stop and projection 84 couldbe adjusted to provide for greater or lesser angles between the legs.

FIG. 10 shows legs 12 and 14 in a fully open position at an obtuse angleof about 140 degrees. In this position, the first and second notches ofrear leg 14 engage open limiting stop 56 on the rear of front leg 12 toprevent the stand from being opened to a greater angle. Of course, thesize and/or placement of the open limiting stop could be varied if agreater or lesser maximum opening angle is desired.

FIGS. 11-13 show the display 144 used with stand 10 which displayincludes a housing 146, a screen 148 on the front of the housing, and ahousing rear 150 having a centrally located depression 152 whereat aboss 154 is attached to the housing to allow the housing to be used withstand 10. Boss 154 comprises a first element 156 that includes a notch158 for retaining a projecting stop 160 and a second element 162 that,when attached to depression 152 adjacent first element 156 forms boss154 with a flange 164, first and second curved end walls 166 and firstand second generally parallel sidewalls 168. A strain relief element170, which is normally part of the cord attached to the display, passesthrough the opening between the boss elements. To attach the boss to thehousing, parts 156 and 162 are aligned with each other such that theyclose around the strain relief, stop 160 is placed into the properposition, and then the combined 156 and 162 are pressed into thedepression 152 and secured with screws.

In use, display 144 is placed into stand 10 by aligning boss 154 withchannel 28 and lowering the boss into the channel as shown in FIG. 15.Linear peripheral wall portions 26 guide boss 154 into proper positionallowing a user to mount the display on the stand without looking behindthe display at the boss. The width of channel 28 is greater than thespacing between the straight side walls of boss 154, and thus the bossfits easily within the channel in this orientation. Importantly, thedisplay is placed in the channel with stop 160 facing upwardly, awayfrom the bottom of the channel. Flange 164 prevents boss 154 from beingpulled out of channel 28 in a direction normal to screen 128. And,because the separation between the curved ends 166 of the boss isgreater than the width of the top opening into channel 28, the boss islocked in place when it is rotated from the landscape orientation. Stop160 on boss 154 engages stop 39 in channel 28 when the display has beenrotated approximately 180 degrees in either direction. The display couldbe used without stop 39, but rotating the display by more than 180degrees could tangle or damage a cord extending therefrom. The stop isnot necessary if the stand is always used with a cordless display. Thehard plastic material chosen for the boss 154 in combination with thehard metal bearing surface 40 allows for smooth sliding movement of theboss in the channel while felt layer 44 on the outer side 16 of thefront leg also helps the rear of the display housing to slide smoothlyover the outer side 16 of the stand as the display is rotated.

FIG. 14 shows pegs 172 that can be placed in appropriate openings in therear of housing 122 if a user desires to lock the display in either aportrait or landscape orientation. Once the display is in position, theuser can change the orientation of the display by rotating it about theaxis of boss 154 as necessary. The inclination of the display screen canbe adjusted by manipulating levers 132 to release one or the other oflock springs 106 as discussed above and position the stand at either ofthe extreme positions show in FIGS. 9 or 10 or at any angular positiontherebetween. To remove the display from the stand, it is merelynecessary to return the display to the landscape orientation and lift itfrom channel 28.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 16-18. Thisembodiment uses the same lockable legs as the first embodiment butprovide an alternate arrangement for rotatably attaching the display tothe stand. Stand 200 of this embodiment comprises a planar front sidethat includes a notch 204 having bottom portion 206 comprising a segmentof a circular arc. An arc-shaped wall 208 corresponding to the arc ofportion 206 projects outwardly from portion 206 and terminates in aflange 210. While the front side is shown as having a shape generallylike a section of a truncated cone, it could have other shapes, such asthe C-shape of the front plate of the first embodiment, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as long as an arc-shapedrecess similar to that of the first or second embodiment is provided.Stand 200 is used with a display 212 that includes a rear wall 214having an opening 216 which opens into a chamber 218 having a widthgreater than the width of opening 216. If the display is a cordeddisplay, a cord (not shown) will project outwardly from this opening.Alternately, chamber 218 could be viewed as including an inwardlyprojecting flange 220, which flange is the portion of rear wall 214surrounding opening 216. To place display 212 on the stand, opening 216is aligned with notch 204 and placed over the boss so that flange 206 ofthe boss is received in chamber 218 behind flange 220. Notch 204 allowsa cord from the display to pass outwardly behind the stand.

In use, opening 216 of the display is positioned over arc shaped wall208 and the flange 210 of the arc-shaped wall is placed into chamber 218behind flange 220. The flange 210 engages behind flange 220 of chamber218. The display maintains any orientation with respect to the standthrough either a friction fit between the flange and chamber, or thefriction between the front of the stand and the display housing(possibly using a felt pad as in the first embodiment). FIGS. 16-18 showa simplified stand arrangement comprising front wall 202 and a supportleg. However, it should be understood that the mounting arrangementcould just as easily be used on a support stand with two lockable legsas described in the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 19-21. In thisembodiment, a stand 300 comprises a planar front wall 302, having anotch 304 with an arc-shaped end portion 306. A cradle 308 having aC-shaped bearing member 310 projecting from one side thereof is attachedto front wall 302 with bearing member 310 engaged in end portion 306 ofthe notch. Cradle 308 includes a hooked lower portion 312 and two pegs314 projecting from the edge of the cradle opposite hooked lower portion312. A display 316 is used with this stand which display includes ahousing 318 having a rear wall 320 which includes first and second holes322. In use, a lower end of display 316 is placed into hooked lowerportion 312 of cradle 308 and leaned back against the cradle until pegs314 enter holes 322. This arrangement keeps the display firmly mountedin the cradle while the cradle is rotated with respect to the stand. Afriction fit between the cradle bearing member 310 and arc-shaped endportion 306 allow the cradle to be held in various orientations relativeto the stand. The cradle can be held in various orientation relative tothe stand by either a friction fit between the cradle bearing member 310and arc-shaped end portion 306, or by a friction device (e.g. felt pad)between the front of the stand platform 302 and the back of the rotatingcradle 308, or similar means. Notch 304 allows the stand to be used witha corded display. While a simplified support structure for the stand isshown in these figures, the cradle and mounting arrangement could alsoeasily be used with an adjustable stand such as the one described abovein the first embodiment.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 22-25 wherein adisplay 400 including a housing 402 having a rear surface 404 isprovided with a rotatable bearing 406 on rear surface 404. Bearing 406is centrally located on housing rear and includes a central opening 408to accommodate a cable 410 emerging from the display so that bearing 406can rotate around the cable without twisting or damaging the cable.Bearing 406 further includes two openings 412 which each of whichpreferably includes a pair of converging wall portions 414 meeting at avertex 415. As best seen in FIG. 24, openings 412 each open into aninterior chamber 416 that is wider than opening 412 thus forming a lipor flange 418 around each opening.

Display 400 is used with a stand 420 comprising a planar front side 422having a V-shaped notch 424 and first and second projections 426 locatedone on either side of notch 424. Each projection includes a rod portion428 and an end flange 430, and these projections are securely fastenedto or integrally formed with the stand. The planar front side can besupported in any manner, for example, using a fixed leg or using theadjustable legs described above in the first embodiment.

In use, the display is mounted on the stand by aligning openings 412with projections 426 and inserting projections 426 into openings 412.The openings are larger than end flanges 430 so small errors inalignment are tolerated. Converging wall portions 414 direct theprojections toward vertex 415 where they are securely supported. Flanges430 on the projections are received in chamber 416 behind lip 418 of thedisplay and preventing the projections from being pulled out of theopenings in a direction normal to the housing rear. Supported in thismanner, bearing 406 remains essentially fixed with respect to stand 420while the housing 402 rotates with respect to bearing 406. Bearing 406may include a locking mechanism for holding the display in a desiredorientation with respect to the stand or a friction fit between thebearing and the housing may allow the display to stay in a givenorientation relative to the bearing until a sufficient force is appliedto change the relative orientations.

The present invention has been described in terms of several preferredembodiments, it being understood that changes and additions to theseembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon areading of the foregoing description. For example, while the stand ofthe present invention has been described as having legs positioned suchthat each has a free terminal end that engages against a surface tosupport a display, legs could also be used in other orientations, suchas with one lying flat on a surface with the other projecting away fromthe surface without departing from the scope of the invention. And,while a stand with two legs has been described, the stand could just aseasily have three or more legs if this were desirable for reasons suchas the nature of the environment in which the stand is to be used. It isintended that all such obvious modifications and additions form a partof this invention to the extent that they are included within the scopeof the several claims appended hereto.

1. In combination, a display and a support stand for adjustablysupporting said display, said display comprising a housing having afront and a rear, a screen mounted on said housing front and a bossprojecting from said housing rear; and said stand having a bearingsurface for receiving said boss and rotatably supporting said display,said stand comprises first and second legs connected by a hinge and saidhinge comprises at least one spring clutch, said stand having a channelwith a first end that is open and a second end that is closed, said bossbeing slidingly removable from said channel open.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said boss is detachably secured to said housing.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said boss includes a centerline normal tosaid display and a generally circular cross section normal to saidcenterline.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said boss includes afirst end adjacent said housing and a second end spaced from saidhousing, said second end including a flange.
 5. The combination of claim1 wherein said bearing surface comprises an arc of a circle.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein said arc is greater than 180 degrees. 7.The combination of claim 4 wherein said stand comprises a plate memberhaving a thickness, said bearing surface is located in said platemember, and said flange is spaced from said housing by a distancesubstantially equal to said plate thickness.
 8. The combination of claim6 wherein said circular arc has first and second ends spaced apart by afirst distance and said boss has a minor axis shorter than said firstdistance and a major axis longer than said first distance.
 9. Thecombination of claim 7 wherein said bearing surface has first and secondends and said plate member includes first and second walls extendingfrom said first and second ends.
 10. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid boss is centrally located on the housing rear.
 11. The combinationof claim 1 wherein said housing is rotatable on said stand between aportrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
 12. The combination ofclaim 1 including a stop for limiting the rotation of said display withrespect to said stand.
 13. The combination of claim 11 including atleast one stop for selectively holding said housing in either saidportrait or said landscape orientation.
 14. The combination of claim 1wherein said hinge is selectively lockable in at least two positions.15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises a balancespring.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said first leg liesgenerally in a first plane, said second leg lies generally in a secondplane and wherein said hinge is shiftable between a first positionwherein said first leg and said second leg meet at an obtuse angle and asecond position wherein said first leg and said second leg meet at anacute angle.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said obtuse angleis between about 140 degrees and 180 degrees and said acute angle isbetween about 20 degrees and 60 degrees.
 18. The combination of claim 1including at least one lever for shifting said at least one springclutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
 19. Thecombination of claim 18 wherein said at least one spring clutchcomprises first and second oppositely mounted spring clutches.
 20. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein a portion of said first leg is coveredwith a high friction material and wherein a portion of said second legis covered with a low friction material.
 21. The combination of claim 1wherein said hinge is lockable to prevent an angle between said firstand second legs from increasing.
 22. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid hinge is lockable to prevent the angle between said first andsecond legs from decreasing.
 23. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidhinge includes a first lock for preventing the angle between said firstand second legs from increasing, a second lock for preventing the anglebetween said first and second legs from decreasing, and at least oneactuator for releasing said first or said second lock.
 24. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said boss has a T-shaped cross section.25. In combination, a display and a support stand for adjustablysupporting said display, said display comprising a housing having afront and a rear, a screen mounted on said housing front and a bossprojecting from said housing rear; and said stand having a bearingsurface for receiving said boss and rotatably supporting said display,said stand having a channel with a first end that is open and a secondend that is closed, said boss being slidingly removable from saidchannel open end, said channel is substantially circular, said channelsubtends an arc in excess of 180°, said first open end has spaced firstand second opposed terminal ends and a linear peripheral portion extendsadjacently outwardly from each of said terminal ends.
 26. Thecombination of claim 25, wherein said channel has a first width at saidopen end, a second width at a longitudinal midpoint, and a third widthadjacent said channel closed end, said first width being narrower thansaid second width, said second width being greater than said first andthird widths.
 27. The combination of claim 25, wherein said channel issubstantially vertical when said stand vertically supports said display,said channel closed end having a vertically lower position than saidchannel open end.
 28. The combination of claim 25, wherein said channelwidth is narrower than said boss width.
 29. The combination of claim 25,wherein said channel centerline coincides with said stand centerline.